ACC Kickoff: Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi, Ryan Baer, Mason Heintschel and Braylan Lovelace (VIDEO)

Pitt Panthers key players

Quarterback Mason Heintschel: Heintschel enters his second season as Panthers starter after completing 63.6% of his passes for 2,354 yards and 16 touchdowns as a freshman. Heintschel was the first Pitt QB to throw for 400 yards in a game (vs. NC State) since Kenny Pickett in 2021.

Right tackle Ryan Baer: Baer will be starting at right tackle for the fourth straight season in 2026. Baer was named All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2025.

Linebacker Braylan Lovelace: Lovelace was named All-ACC Honorable Mention after racking up 80 tackles, 5.5 TFL and two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) in 13 starts last season.

2026 Panthers schedule

Sept. 5 Miami (OH) 12:30 p.m. ET (CW)
Sept. 12 UCF 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Sept. 17 Syracuse * 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Sept. 26 Bucknell Noon ET (ACCNX)
Oct. 2 at Virginia Tech * 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Oct. 10 North Carolina *
Oct. 17 at Boston College *
Oct. 24 at Miami *
Oct. 31 Georgia Tech *
Nov. 7 OPEN
Nov. 13 Florida State * 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Nov. 21 at Louisville *
Nov. 28 at California *

Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi, Ryan Baer, Mason Heintschel and Braylan Lovelace